Frederick County offering free vaccinations to rising sixth graders

Through a partnership with the Lord Fairfax Health District, Frederick County Public Schools is offering free tetanus, diptheria and pertussis booster vaccination to rising sixth graders.

Fifth graders attending each of Frederick County’s 11 elementary schools have the opportunity from March 25 to 27 to receive the free immunizations.

The “Tdap booster” has been a required vaccination for all rising sixth graders since 2006, unless the student has had a tetanus-containing vaccine within the past five years or for religious or medical reasons.

Parents are asked to review their child’s immunization record and make plans to have the student receive the Tdap booster prior to the start of the 2014-2015 school year if the last vaccination was before August 2009. Students will only be able to receive the vaccination if their parents have provided the school with written permission prior to March 14.

Vaccinations will be administered at Greenwood Mill, Redbud Run, Stonewall, Armel and Evendale elementary schools on March 25; Apple Pie Ridge, Gainesboro and Indian Hollow elementary schools on March 26 and Middletown, Orchard View and Bass-Hoover elementary schools on March 27.